Question: "Overhead Entry to Downwind?"

"Bill Denton" wrote:

This is not correct. The safest traffic pattern entry is the one that is
flown correctly and consistently by everyone.

Your evidence for this is? Putting all traffic on the exact
same altitude at exactly the same ground track ensures that
we're guaranteed a midair if I'm a mile from touchdown when
you're a mile from touchdown. I don't necessarily disagree
with you, but I'd like to see the evidence for your claim.

As I have previously stated, I believe this is not being interpreted
correctly. I believe that the purpose of this regulation is to define a
default traffic pattern direction. It basically states that "left traffic"
will be the standard, unless there are specific indications that one should
fly "right traffic".

Your belief is not regulatory - the FAR's are. If they
wanted to say what you believe they mean, they could have
written it your way.

From this, it would be a reasonable interpretation that the purpose of the
AIM is to provide a set of "best practices"; a method of performing
operations in a specific manner that will comply with regulations.

Reasonable. I might have stated it as: "... that will
comply with regulations as they are presently interpreted
and enforced."

This would indicate that the FAA's preferred method for pattern entry is a
45 degree entry with a right turn into "left traffic" or a left turn into
"right traffic".

Yep.

Again, let me note that I am a wannabe;

If you are a student or hope to become one, then ignore this
whole discussion and fly according to the AIM as closely as
you can. This discussion is by those who are either
frustrated or simply amused that the FAA's recommended
practices don't seem to be in compliance with the FAR's.
Eventually someone might push to change the FAR's or even
the 45 recommendation, but as a present or future student,
you should ignore this whole thread.

I am anxiously awaiting the
implementation of the Sport Pilot License. But via: my varied occupations, I
have extensive experience interpreting various rules, regulations, and
supplemental materials published both by various governments and private
industry. So, I feel quite confident of my interpretations. But if I am
demonstrably incorrect, please let me know...

The simplest demonstration is that the 45 turn to a left
pattern is a right turn, and the FAR's prohibit a right turn
when approaching to land. If you aren't approaching to land
when you make that turn, then you're right, but my gut tells
me you are. Q: When is a fish not a fish? A: When the FAA
says it's a cow. It's a curiosity that should guide no one.
There are lots of them in the FAR's. Fly the AIM for
instruction and flight tests and whenever it's safe.

Todd Pattist
(Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)
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